Overcoming Bottlenecks in the Organic & Regenerative Meat Sector

Carbon sequestration on grasslands is a top solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more resilient food system. Scientific evidence shows that organic and regenerative grazing practices sequester more carbon in the soil, increase above- and below-ground biodiversity, produce meat with healthier nutritional profiles, and support strong local economies. However, consolidation of the meat industry has reduced California’s federally inspected meat-processing facilities by over 50% in the last 50 years, and has severely curtailed the critically needed climate, health, and economic benefits of organic and regenerative livestock production. This workshop will discuss the current federal and California state policy landscape and the next steps for creating regional meat-processing infrastructure. This session will be followed by a discussion group.